Opinion

12/15/2013

My name is Michael Libbie I write Sunday Morning Coffee...myself. Politics, religion and gossip. If you have a comment feel free to share it here. Or connect on Twitter @MichaelLibbie and, should you wish, here is my personal Facebook Page. I'm NOT in a good mood this morning...so there. Merry Christmas.

War on Christmas

As you may know former Gov. Sarah Palin is making a boat-load of money by channeling into the fear of like minded individuals with her new book, "Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting the Heart of Christmas". I admire her. Really. She has found a way to make more money than she ever thought possible and be fawned over by thousands. Well done! And, about the "War on Christmas"...it looks to me like Christmas is winning. The National Retail Federation says sales have been strong and may climb above their growth estimate of 3.9%. See... (Actually, there would be no "War on Christmas" if we didn't have to endure 90 days of it along with the same 34 songs played over, and over and over....) Merry Christmas.

Cowards Among Us

Right now they actually might be in your town. Those spineless weasels whom we have elected to Congress who can not find the courage to stand against the gun lobby and do what 90% of Americans find reasonable. For the record since the horrific school murders at Sandy Hook there have been 24 additional school shootings (the most recent last week). In total those 25 school shootings have led to at least 25 injuries and 18 deaths. And your congress does...nothing. Shameful. Oh, and Merry Christmas.

Your Tax Dollars at Work

Some of you may know that I do a daily business radio broadcast. I started this adventure sixteen weeks ago because nobody seems interested in lifting up the positive business news for small and mid-size companies. Nobody. I am a Democrat that is pro-economic development. However, I am also shocked at the amount of tax dollars and tax incentives states continue to hand out to bribe already successful companies to their borders. Meanwhile, those same states cut services to the people who depend on the various social safety nets. This Thursday we're going to dig a little deeper into this issue and have a conversation about government gifts to business and the number of jobs actually created. Our guest will be author Steven Rosenfeld who recently raised the issue regarding the current "bidding war" (See, there is a real war!) regarding Boeing. We hope a representative from the Iowa Economic Development Authority will also join us. We want to be fair. Merry Christmas.

Sexual Assault & The Military

I did not serve in the military. I am grateful for those of you who have. Last week I took my friends advice. Bob Krause suggested I should do an interview with Miyoko Hikiji the author of "All I Could Be: My Story as a Woman Warrior in Iraq". I was stunned by her tale of sexual assault among the men and women who serve. By her accounts there are 26,000 incidents each year and many are simply swept away. Look, I don't do politics on The News Hour...I save that for here. But this is well worth a listen if you have the time. I've pulled that section of the broadcast out for you. Here you go it runs about 15 minutes. Oh, Merry Christmas.

Person of the Year

And the award goes to...Pope Frances? Huh? When Time made available to the media the possible choices and Pope Frances was included I honestly doubted he would make it. After all he speaks and hangs out with lazy ass poor people, champions social safety nets, calls for an end of "trickle down" economics and asks people and business and government to be more generous in giving to those who have little. "No way", I thought, "Especially after Rush called him a Marxist." Well, lah-de-dah... Hope my friends are paying attention. Merry Christmas.

Partly Personal

Last week I took Mom to the grocery store. She has not been since May. He has been in and out of hospitals, nursing facilities, urgent care clinics, doctors offices... So we spent two hours at the Urbandale HyVee where she reconnected with folk who had not seen her for six months. One thing was a bit different. Rather than let her drive the cart...I had my hand on the throttle. Didn't want her running over some four-year old. She had a nice time!

11/10/2013

My name is Michael P. Libbie and I get to write Sunday Morning Coffee a weekly
rant about stuff nobody is supposed to talk about. You know, politics and religion. I throw in a little gossip just to make the conversation sweeter. If you have a comment, feel free to post here or let's connect on my PERSONAL Facebook Page and/or my personal Twitter Stream @MichaelLibbie but, remember, play nice. Let's get started. (Oh yeah..."Twitter is a waste of time!"...uh huh $41.65 at the close of last week.)

Immigration Reform

Well now it seems like even Rep. Steve King (R-IA) may be on the wrong side of this issue...too. Politico is reporting that a poll, due out on Thursday, conducted by a, "trio of GOP friendly groups" indicates that, "...indicate that voters will be warmer toward politicians who favor
immigration reform, an effort that faces an uphill battle in the
Republican-led House." Well now, ain't that special. If you would like to read the entire piece here is that link. Question: How come, if Congressman King is wrong on this, wrong on health care, wrong on marriage equality...how come you people in Western Iowa continue to vote him in? Must be his TV ads...

Technology and Obamacare

Well now isn't this interesting. Recently, as reported by ARS Technica a technical research reporting agency, it seems that "somebody" out there has created a tool to put extra strain on the website HealthCare.gov. The report says the hackers have created what they call a "tool to slow down the site". My, my...somebody isn't playing nice. Meanwhile Fox News continues to lie about the Affordable Care Act by parading one phony family after another onto their screen. Look, I don't like the fact that the president bought into this insurance company, GOP program any more than others. But, it is clearly a start toward a more humane way of dealing with health care in this country. You want to read the report? Sure, here is the link.

Small Business & The Economy

You do know that small business people fear the future and that they are not at all
sure about the economy today or tomorrow. And that they are so unsure of the fragile US economy that they are ready, at any point, to shutter their manufacturing plants, retail stores, etc. You do know that because every talking head on every toxic right-wing radio and television station has been pounding that drum for two years. Right? Uhm...nope. From the Department of Don't Confuse Me With The Facts comes this recent study by our friends at The Principal which says small business people are optimistic about the economy and their ability to grow. Sure, just like in farming there is uncertainty but where isn't there. Dang! Now what Chicken Little?

Oh, Did I Mention Farming?

Still no Farm Bill. Why? Because "The House That Says No" say that poor people, people who were affected by their cut and burn mentality with regard the budgets, are using too many food stamps. And know what? According to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack if the "Do Nothing Congress" fails to get busy on the Farm Bill, farmers, who are really tied to this piece of legislation, may stop buying machinery, vehicles and upgrading their business. What happens then? The rural economy goes into a downward spiral. And for those of you living in urban areas in Iowa think, "So?" Tell that to the workers at John Deere who were recently laid off. This is all silly, silly, silly. Weary my friends...weary.

Now For Some Good News!

We have a new mayor in Windsor Heights, Iowa. It is Madam Mayor too. Diana Willits was elected last Tuesday along with a couple of other progressive candidates to the City Council. Some of the other candidates choose to go negative right out of the gun and...they lost. Here's the deal kids, when running for public office it is much better to run FOR something than against something. Hint: Running for office to oppose sidewalks near a school is not a good idea. It might have been attractive back in 2010 when our Tea Party Friends were running all over the country with fear and doom reports...but it ain't that way today...at least on the local level. Congrats Diana and Company! A pleasure to call Windsor Heights...home. (Yes, I know, I voted for a registered Republican AND a woman! The horror...) BTW, first female mayor in city history. I have NOT done the research but...could she be the first female mayor in the Des Moines Metro? Anybody? I should ask my friend Bob Santi. He knows EVERYTHING! Bob?

What? More Good News?

Congratulations to my friend Susan Judkins (left with Sen. Jack Hatch) who was recently appointed to the Clive City Council. Susan ran an impressive campaign against Rep. Chris Hagenow but lost by 22 votes. (The ghost of Kevin McCarthy still haunts me.) She recently changed jobs and had some time to spend working for the public in a new way...as an appointed city council person filling former Councilman Steven Brody's vacant seat. Brody resigned unexpectedly on October 3rd, citing, "personal reasons". BAM!

Sorry for such...LOCAL news...but it seems that the stuff on the state and national scene is so....ick. Like...this:

The Shutdown...Blows

Moody's Analytics estimates the Des Moines Metro saw a 0.27 percent, or about a 22.1 million dollar drop in gross state product as a result of the partial shutdown of the federal government for 17 days in October. The Quad Cities, including Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa and Moline and Rock Island in Illinois, were hit even harder, experiencing an estimated 25.3 million dollar loss. Iow City took a 7.1 million dollar hit, while the Cedar Rapids, Ames and Sioux City Metros saw losses of 3.8 million, 3.4 million and 2.4 million each. Uhm..."damn gobment ain't good for nothin'"...right? Weary...double weary.

Partly Personal

OK...week four with having Mom at our home. Friday night we had another nosebleed and spent from midnight to 6AM at the ER in West Des Moines. That was fun. Mom takes rat-poison (Warfarin) as a blood thinner. Each month we check her I&R levels at her doctor. That test takes about thirty seconds. Meanwhile that test at Mercy West Lakes ER takes four hours. I dunno either. But got stuff stopped and back home in time to watch the sun come up. She was grumpy yesterday.

09/15/2013

It's Sunday and Sunday Morning Coffee my personal input on politics and
religion with a little gossip thrown in for flavor. My name is Michael Libbie and if you want to leave a comment here, feel free. We can also connect on my personal Twitter Stream @MichaelLibbie and my personal Facebook Page is right here. Just back from Yom Kippur...feeling...cleansed. That being said, let's see what my friends have been up to:

The Rich People's Movement

It has always baffled me as to why a family who makes, say, $60,000 a year would join the Tea Party and work, diligently, for the interests of the Rich People's Movement. I've always thought it was because they hope for "crumbs from their masters table" or they have bought into the fear being spread by the right. Imagine my shock when I learned the history of the Rich People's Movement which goes back...decades. In short, each time the wealthy feel threatened (think taxes) they will, according to this very interesting article by Isaac Martin of the Oxford University Press, "use the traditional tactics of the poor on behalf of tax cuts for the rich. They will behave like outsiders, but demand policies designed to benefit people who are consummate insiders in American politics." Stunning reading...here is the link. Oh, and yes, there is mention of our own Rep. Steve King (R-IA)

Jessie Helms & Ted Cruz

Many of you may be too young to remember Sen. Jessie Helms (R-NC) an unabashed racist who, among other things:

Sang the confederate anthem “Dixie” in an elevator with Carol Moseley-Braun, the African-American senator from Illinois, and told Sen. Orrin Hatch in front of her that he was trying to make her cry.

Opposed integration, or “mixing of the races,” and called the University of North Carolina the “University of Negroes and Communists” because it was integrated.

The list goes on and on...and Sen. Helms, unlike other like minded Southern politicians such as Sen. Strom Thurmond and Gov. George Wallace, never disavowed his racist, segregationist beliefs...ever. So what has this got to do with the new darling of the Right Sen. Ted Cruz? Last week he stood before a crowd and proclaimed, "The willingness to say all those crazy things is a rare, rare characteristic in this town, and you know what? It’s every bit as true now as it was then. I wish we had 100 more just like him." Ahhh, yes. Take us back to 1950.

Bat-Crap-Crazy Not Limited to the South

Let's say you want to keep young boys "pure of any thoughts of homosexuality". What might be the best way for a pastor to work this magic? If you are former youth pastor Brent Girouex ofVictory Fellowship Church of Council Bluffs, Iowa you simply have sex with them. Oh and never mind that after you admit that fact to the police you won't do any jail time. Maybe it was the "Jesus Connection" that reduced his sentence from 17 years to probation? Yep...makes Dixie look normal huh? I know you won't believe me so here is the news story from our friends at KRMG. And, let us say...Amen.

Let's Stay in Iowa?

The Republican Party of Iowa was busy last week. Seems state party chairman A.J. Spiker decided that moving the 2014 GOP State Convention from June to July would be a great idea. Why? Well, there are lots and lots of people wishing to run for the US Senate Seat being vacated by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and because there are so many it's unlikely any one candidate will get 35% of the vote for the nomination. That being the case, the nominee would come out of a party convention. And, because the state central committee is made up of lots of Ron Paul types pushing the convention back gives them time to lobby for their choice. Besides, when the process goes to a convention the usual result is "bat-crap-crazy" wins because they can gin up their base. In the end it all fell apart and should you wish to read the entire story...here's the post from our friends at Bleeding Heartland.

The Film Flap

There is a tea party guy by the name of Dave Davidson here in Iowa who spent several years trailing presidential candidates around the state and taking candid photos. Those photos turned into a movie titled, "Shooting the President". Mr. Davidson and some fellow Republicans were about to kick off a 32 day national bus tour promoting the project but the bus company, Champion Coach said...."Nyet!" and added it did not want to be associated with any suggestion of violence against President Obama. My conservative friends don't see it that way...of course not.

The Governor Does Not Get to Decide

Sometime ago I wrote about a piece of legislation that passed during the wacky 2013 Iowa Legislative Session which gave the governor of Iowa the power to decide if the state would reimburse abortion providers in Medicaid cases. Looks like the University of Iowa Hospitals, where most of the 22 abortions last year took place, will not bill the state thereby leaving Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) off the hook. That's nice...but I bet he is disappointed. I suspect he really wanted to be "decider-in-chief". There is a bunch of background to this story again...from our friends at Bleeding Heartland.

Vice President Joe Biden

Is in town today for two events. The first is a deal in downtown Des Moines for about 300 folks. It is not being billed as a campaign stop because the Vice President is not a candidate...yet. Then, later today, he will make his way to the fairgrounds in Indianola for the 36th Annual Tom Harkin Steak Fry. Vice President Biden, whom I like and admire a bunch, will share the stage with the Mayor of San Antonio Julián Castro who did much to improve his recognition during the Democratic National Convention last year.

Partly Personal

Friday night and Saturday we had two new folks in the Adas Israel Synagogue of Mason City for Yom Kippur. The two nuns, members of the Sisters of Presentation, came and stayed for the four services that mark the holiest day of the Jewish Calendar. Last night at the Break-Fast I sat with them, talked politics and religion and we had a wonderful time. The Jewish guy and a couple of Irish Catholic Nuns...there has got to be a joke there someplace.

Did you notice the "new coffee cup"? It's kind of the way things go around here Sunday Morning.

06/02/2013

Sunday Morning Coffee is about the stuff your parents told you never to
discuss: Politics & Religion with some Gossip thrown in for seasoning. My name is Michael P. Libbie and if you want to throw in a comment here, feel free or let's connect on my personal Twitter Stream @MichaelLibbie and my personal Facebook Page is right here. OK...let's go:

The House Intelligence Committee

Last week Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) said she is done with Congress. Not that she is upset with them but she doesn't want to play
any more. She released a video, complete with sappy music, saying her decision not to seek re-election has nothing to do with the investigation by the FBI that her failed presidential campaign paid Iowa State Senator Kent Sorenson (R-Milo) $7,000 a month...which is against the rules. Perhaps she was simply seeking a way in which to make the House Intelligence Committee a bit more...intelligent.

More From Minnesota

With Rep. Bachmann out her Democratic opponent, St. Cloud businessman, Jim Graves also called it quits. Graves nearly unseated Bachmann in 2012 and was ready to take her on again in 2014 but the new developments had Graves saying mission accomplished. "There’s no way anyone could run and win who would be worse than Michele Bachmann. So we accomplished that task”, he said. I think Mr. Graves knows he had zero chance of winning in the most Republican district in the state. With Mrs. Bachmann out why spend the time and money. It will be interesting to see who the GOP puts up and if he/she is as looney as Mrs. Bachmann. After all they have a tradition to uphold.

Speaking of Looney

State Representative Tyler Olson (D-Cedar Rapids) and chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party ran all over the state last week touting the accomplishments of the recently adjourned Iowa Legislature. Meanwhile the media has been beating the drum about the wonderful way in which agreements seemed to fall from the sky during the final hours and how "compromise won the day". Looney... Iowa Democrats caved on health care, education and property taxes and handed Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) a sixth term in 2014. I do not know Herb Strentz of Urbandale, Iowa but I like his letter to the Des Moines Register:

"Spare us from the cartwheels and huzzahs about all the Iowa Legislature accomplished this last tortuous session. Bottom line is twofold:

The Legislature affixed some Band-Aids to problems and issues that have troubled the state for years and will continue to vex us;

The Legislature fortunately rejected the unending looney schemes from the political right.

Apart from that, we again had testimony to how poorly Iowa has been served by the Chet Culver and Terry Branstad regimes and a legislature hamstrung mostly by the doctrinaires on the right. We have to do better."

I like his use of the word...looney.

Speaking of the Des Moines Register

I really do like reading the hard copy of the daily. I know...but please understand that I am old and old people still like to sit and sift through the news. They have been running several stories about licensing boards (My brother Yoni even made the paper...) and the looney way in which they often "self regulate". Now THAT sounds like a GOP plan if ever I heard one...just ask the Iowa Farm Bureau. (If you know what I'm talking about...congrats! You have been reading.) The sub-heading of the editorial today is, "Professionalism or Protectionism?" I likey. For those of you who want to...here is a link to the piece from today. While the Editorial Board failed back in November (See Rick Green...I have a long memory) they have this one right. See how I did that? Referencing three different stories in one comment. See that...?

How To "Talk Religion"

Once a month I get to travel to Mason City, Iowa to lead services and then hold a study session or midrash at Adas Israel, one of only twelve Jewish congregations in Iowa. It's been a passion of mine for over 26 years. The midrash is attended by Jews and non-Jews and we use the weekly Torah Portion as a guide to discuss how that ancient text impacts our lives today. Lot's of fun and, to tell the truth, I'm the one who learns the most. (Shhhhh...) Anyway, I find that when you, out of the box, reject the notion of proselytizing anybody about anything people can have an intelligent conversation about religion without getting all heated up. Just in case you wanted to know.

Partly Personal

A little less Coffee this morning. Some of you know that I've been the primary care-giver for my Mother who, G-d willing, will be 93 in seven days. We've been at this for over 18 months and I am honored to have the responsibility. A week ago we were at the emergency room of Mercy West Lakes because of some terrible back pain. Five hours later we she came back home and then a visit to her family doctor on Wednesday. Not getting any better we were back in the ER on Thursday evening and they admitted her. She is alert and seems to be getting better but much of the future is still...up in the air. Last night I went to her apartment to get her a few things and it was sad not to see her in her...chair. I know many of you have gone through the same things and no matter when/who/how this stuff is...tough.

05/26/2013

Sunday Morning Coffee is religion, politics and gossip all shaded with my personal
opinion. My name is Michael P. Libbie and I believe, contrary to what your parents said, we should talk about religion and politics...because those two items are what really matter. Feel free to leave a comment here or we can connect on my personal Twitter Stream @MichaelLibbie and/or my personal Facebook Page is right here. Lot's going on...let's go!

President Obama & The Left

One of my friends from the Republican Party asked me the other day, "Michael, if your president is such a great guy how come the Left is beating him up over all these scandals?" The simple answer is, "We, unlike your friends at Fox, tend to castigate our own because we expect, always, to move forward and to seek justice and transparency." When you seek the truth it's harder to manufacture crazy. Yes, some on the Left are disappointed and many of those same people are ideologues who, just like the Right believe everything should be run "their way". I'm still convinced that, at the end of the day, President Obama (love putting those two words together) will more than weather this storm and will continue to provide solid leadership for the nation. I know...that is upsetting to many of you on the Far Left...and anybody who is a member of the GOP.

Memorial Day Weekend Sales Events

Weary. That's what I am when I see and hear about these "Fantastic Memorial Day Sales". Call me a purist but I think Memorial Day is one of those holidays that shouldn't be turned into an excuse to hold a slimy retail "event".. Do that on goofy holidays like President's Day or Halloween but let's leave Memorial Day to something...special. As for me...I ain't buyin'.

My Friend The Sceptic

I had coffee with a friend of mine who was beating the "doom and gloom" drum regarding President Obama. "The economy is bad." "Not enough people are working." The IRS scandal is going to tank him." "I fear the press will turn on him with a vengeance." He even used words like "Watergate" and "President Nixon". He also shared something interesting, "I didn't vote for him. Something about him just does not feel right." Maybe he is looking for a real reason? I dunno...

The Strange State of Virginia

Not sure if you saw this. Last week the Virginia Republician Party put forward their slate of candidates for various offices and (cue the Tin Foil Hat Parade) it could not have been more...wacky. The Tea Party won the day largely because there was no primary but a nominating convention where fringe groups rule. Some of the results:

Ken Cuccinelli for Governor -The Virginia Attorney General instructed the state’s public colleges to end policies that banned discrimination against homosexuals is an ardent fan of the NRA and is a follower of the "Birther Movement";

E.W Jackson for Lt. Governor - Mr. Jackson has compaired Planned Parenthood to the KKK, called out Africian-Americans for their "slavish devotion" to the Democratic Party and says he is motivated by his deep Christian faith to speak the truth about "perverted" and "very sick people" who are LGBT.

And you thought there was no religious litmus test for public office?

Bruce Braley & Iowa

Last week, in a Quinnipiac University Poll of 1,411 registered Iowa voters, 57% of them didn't know enough about Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) to form an opinion of him which is the reason Mr. Braley is doing non-stop meet and greets across Iowa. Just this past Friday he was in Hampton, Clarion, Humboldt, Webster City and Iowa Falls. Meanwhile the second or third tier GOP candidates are scrambling for position in what will become a bloody primary fight among "red meat conservatives". It will be fun to watch. My friends from Bleeding Heartland have a complete review of the poll right here. Promise to come back? (Photo: Bruce Braley with supporters in Humboldt, Iowa.)

Plenty Of Back-Slapping in Des Moines

When there should have been some ass-kicking. The Iowa Legislature packed up and left town last week leaving behind some awful legislation.

Property Taxes - The legislature gave a huge gift to corporations by reducing their property tax burden. Same goes for landlords. Of course it's all designed to offer "job creators" the ability to invest in...BS. I visited with an spokesperson for the apartment industry and asked if landlords will use this new tax plan as a way to reduce rents. "Why, no. They will use the money to update their facilities." And...charge more rent no doubt. Meanwhile the city and the county where you live will be forced to cut services or find another way to raise revenue to cover the $741 million shortfall. Stupid...stupid...stupid compromise.

Health Care for Iowa's Poor - I dunno...yet. Sen. Jack Hatch (D-Des Moines) says it's a good deal. Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) says it's a good deal. Much remains to be seen regarding the 75,000 folks who are up to 138% over the poverty line. Details kids...details.

Education Reform - More money for schools is good (4% in 2013/2014 & another 4% the following school year) but there are some troubling details in the "teacher accountability" portion. I dunno...details.

And that's the biggest problem. The legislature in their rush to "get out of Dodge" allowed little media review and public input regarding these items. I'm betting "The Devil is in the Detail" comes back to haunt us.

Combined Reporting

I know, "Huh?". Nobody wants to talk about this wonderful way in which Iowa can fix any ongoing budget woes. The simple explanation is that out-of-state corporations, who now avoid paying much in the way of state taxes, would be required to submit tax returns as an entity without shifting income and expenses to a more "tax friendly" state. Many "pro-business" people don't want to talk about combined reporting because, and you guessed it, it might just hurt the "job creators". Weary..

Speaking of Leaving Town...

I see where my friend Jason Glass the former director of the Iowa Department of Education is headed back home to Colorado as the Superintendent of the Eagle County School District. I will miss his candor on Twitter. He was always responsive and I enjoyed his friendship. And...he's moving on up. Salary here in Iowa was $147,000 while the advertised salary in Colorado is $175,000. Nice going...and they have mountains.

Jim Zabel

When I came to Iowa in 1979 Jim Zabel had already been broadcasting here for 30 years. I met him only once. He was fun, loud and full of energy. "Z" died last week at the age of 91 at his home in Arizona about 45 minutes after leaving a message with former Iowa quarterback Chuck Long asking him if he would consider being on his Sunday evening show "Two Guys Named Jim". You could say Mr. Zabel died doing what he loved...working.

Partly Personal

Here in Iowa it's cold and rainy for the 2013 Memorial Day Weekend. While those folks holding outdoor graduation parties might not like it...I think it's perfect. Memorial Day, while to some, is the beginning of summer but for many of us it is a hallowed day spent in memory of those who gave and continue to give their lives in defense of our nation. No loud fireworks or gaudy floats will you find in the cemeteries of America. On this day flags fly and people, rightly, remember.

For those of you who have come to enjoy Mom & Me...thanks. I continue to post quick stories about my soon to be 93 year-old mother and the stuff she says and does. Here's the link.

Finally...today Garlicpalooza is going on in Mingo, Iowa at Cleverley Farms. Always a nice event and congrats to my friend Khalil Adams (center) who graduated from Roosevelt High School of Des Moines. Sharp kid...who holds so much promise.

05/19/2013

Sunday Morning Coffee is my opportunity to share my opinion on some
of the things your Mother said never to talk about: Politics & Religion...with a little gossip tossed in for good measure. My name is Michael P. Libbie and if you wish to comment here, feel free. Or we can hook up on Twitter @MichaelLibbie and/or my personal Facebook Page is right here. It's been a very busy week with "The Trifecta". Let's go:

Tin Foil Hats & Praying

Two days into the week and the Republicans were frothing: "Finally we have found a string of scandals which will bring Obama down!" They have kept up the pressure on issues asked and answered regarding Benghazi. In fact Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), always eager to sling red meat, told the media, this issue would bring down the Obama administration. Of course my friends on the Right continue to uphold the misinformation and pray the Sen. Graham is correct. Conspiracy theories aside this is what we know:

Four Americans are dead - It is a tragic event and a dreadful reminder of 9/11.

There was a lack of security - Yes, however there is no new news here and remember a smaller government means fewer resources;

Four man special forces team recalled - Yes it was. However President Obama nor then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ordered that decision. It was the professional military on the ground that ordered the turn-around;

Blame uprisings on the video - It is true that during this time demonstrations were being held in Cairo, Tunis, Jakarta and Khartoum as a direct result of an anti Islam video. However, President Obama, from the White House called this an act of terror almost immediately.

Gregory Hicks was not demoted - He asked to return to the United States where the State Department sat him at a desk job until something he liked came around. And muzzled? Hardly he was very much talking last week.

But, if it all makes for great political theater...have at it. Sad.

The IRS "Scandal"

This is a good one. The far right is banging the drum that when asking for a tax exempt status for their political education efforts they were "harassed" and somehow President Obama had his hands in this. The fact is the law relating to receiving a tax exempt status from the IRS is so hazy and the large number of anti-government and/or anti-Obama groups seeking this exemption did prompt some questions and further scrutiny. It is a fake scandal regarding the president and the GOP knows it.

Finally - We've Got A Call for You AP

This third "made up scandal" is a good one. The Justice Department aware that the Associated Press had shared a story leaked by "someone" regarding a planned airliner bombing decided to take a closer look at who the AP is talking to. This, of course, upset the press and some complain it is an invasion of the First Amendment. But, it's not. No one was denied the ability to report...anything. What the Justice Department wanted to know was who is leaking sensitive, national security information. The Democrats, years ago, attempted to put forward a "media shield bill" which was filibustered by (tah-dah) the GOP.

Bottom line: Republicans have said they will stop using the word "scandal" in every sentence that comes out of their mouths if President Obama resigns. Weary...

The Caring, Compassionate GOP

It doesn't exist. Want proof? Last week the House Agriculture Committee trimmed the food stamp program by $2.5 billion over Democratic efforts to keep the $80 billion a year program intact. The GOP says the cuts are "small". Yes, they are...unless you are one of the 1 in 7 Americans that depend on the program. What was a hoot is that during debate several Republicans talked about their Christianity saying the Bible encourages people to help each other but does not mandate what the federal government should do. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) said, "We should be doing this as individuals, helping the poor." There you have it. Let's privatize social welfare! Brilliant.

Meanwhile in Iowa - More Traffic Cameras

The legislature here passed a property tax compromise that is great news for Walmart, Target, Lowes, HyVee but not so good for the cities where they build. The deal, yet to be voted on, cuts already strapped city budgets by 2.7 million in 2015 and cities will lose about $116 million by 2024. The plan says the state will "backfill" some of that loss. I believe this "compromise" will have many more cities seeking ways to increase their lost revenue and what is more tempting than the dreaded automatic traffic cameras both the left and the right scream about. Watch.

Still No Health Care

The Iowa Legislature may very well adjourn without a health care program in place. Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) believes his Healthy Iowa plan which costs more but covers fewer Iowans is the right idea. Sen. Jack Hatch (D-Des Moines) believes the state should adopt the expansion of Medicaid which would cover 150,000 Iowans and costs the state less. There is talk of a special session.

Let's Keep Them in the Minority

State Senator and Minority Leader Bill Dix (R-Shell Rock) a well-to-do agribusiness-man said last week that he strongly objected to an increase in the state's earned income tax credit. The tax package deal for low-income Iowans gives an increase in the tax credit from 7% to 14% for 2013 and 15% after that. For example an Iowan with one child who makes $20,000 in 2012 now gets a tax credit of $189. The new law would raise that to $378 in 2013 and to $405 in following years. Sen. Dix says we should not do that but reward (get ready for the standard GOP line....) "...job creators so they have an opportunity to move forward and make investments..." Nice doing Karl Rove your kids remember well. Mr. Dix said it was wrong for the state to hand out money to those who pay no taxes. Hmmmm...now THAT sounds like the states existing plan for economic development.

Maybe This is the Reason?

Last week my friend J. Michael McKoy was moaning that he can't get
Democrats to come on his talk show "A View From the Pew" and asked if I would come in and discuss state and national politics with he and Tom Coates. Tom is well known for his right of right world view on everything. But, we're all friends so I said I would. During the interview I said I was surprised that behind me on the screen they didn't have the Soviet flag...seeing how they believe me to be the "commie devil". His producer took care of that and for the remainder of the show this is what viewers saw.

It was funny for ten seconds but for thirty minutes? I believe I've found out why Democrats shun Mr. McKoy. One other thing: I knew Mr. Coates was "off the beam to the right" but his constant snickering and name calling didn't score any points for the intellectual side of the debate. I should have expected it...after all he is a Republican.

Partly Personal

It was a birthday party that cost $1,000. Not for the "birthday boy" our grandson Carter...but for all the remodel efforts my son and his bride did to their home to get ready. They have this "do-it'yourself ability" and the place looked great. Mom, who will be 93 in a few weeks, enjoyed the festivities. Here she is asking son Aaron, "How much did you pay for this lawn furniture?" She said it was nice but in her day rocks and log stumps got the job done. LOL!!

05/12/2013

Sunday Morning Coffee is my regular post about politics, religion and
news with some gossip (and my opinion) sprinkled throughout. If you want to leave a comment here, feel free or let's connect on my personal Twitter Stream @MichaelLibbie and/or my personal Facebook Page which is right here. Lots of stuff going on this week, let's get started!

Benghazi & The GOP

They want it so bad. Some way, before the 2016 Presidential Cycle, to derail the Hillary Express. Hated, almost as much as President Obama, Hillary Clinton is everything the Republicans dislike. A strong, capable, bright, effective and hard-nosed woman who just happens to be educated. So congressmen like Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) keep digging in the hope they will find something that leads to destroying Mrs. Clinton. Trouble is...there is...nothing. No matter how hard the right-wing "ditto-heads" keep up the drumming it ain't happening and that, more than anything, is driving them nuts. It's a short drive.

Can You Hear the...Silence?

Hey, where are you? You folks who have been berating President Obama, the Obama Administration and the Democrats...you've become silent on the deficit. Could it be that's because we are climbing out of this hole faster than predicted? Home prices are rebounding (here in Des Moines, Iowa up $10,050 in April alone), the stock market is hitting all time highs (last week it topped 15,000) and Fannie Mae said it would pay the government $59.4 billion in dividends. Those same "doom & gloom" politicians need to switch gears and find some other political catastrophe (see above) or maybe just focus more on fear...you know black people, immigrants, brown people, welfare queens...the usual list of suspects.

Elizabeth Warren - BAM!

The establishment did not want her to become a United States Senator and now that she's there Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) continues to shake up the status quo. Last week she submitted her first bill. It was simple and direct: "Offer students in the United States the same sweet deal regarding interest rates that the banks get." Currently banks borrow money at the record low interest rates of 0.75%. However, if a student borrows money he/she pays 3.4% which, unless congress changes the rules, will double on July 1 to 6.8%. All of this going on as colleges continue to raise tuition and students graduate with record debt; doubling from $10,649 to $20,326 in just ten years. Sen. Warren has the kind of family values that make sense. And then there is...this:

All You Need is Jesus

I love the Republican Party and their family values. Last week the liar of South Carolina former Gov. Mark Sanford won a congressional seat. Never mind that he lied to the people of South Carolina. Never mind that he lied to his wife. Never mind that he took up with his mistress. None of that matters in South Carolina as long as you find...Jesus. In fact, it doesn't matter much at all in the south...strains of Newt Gingrich? What a sick bunch.

Gov. Chris Christie

I see the governor had surgery to lose some weight. That's a good thing...seeing less of Gov. Christie is always positive.

The Rand Paul Love Fest

Sen.Rand Paul (R-KY) was in town last week and the Iowa GOP is swooning. "He is just the right person to get this country back." "He believes in freedom and I believe in freedom and he is the right person for the job." Yawn. We've seen this circus before. Sen. Paul will be the one of dozens who will seek the GOP Nomination...dozens. I wonder what Sen. Paul, who believes in less government and more freedom for private companies, might say about...this:

Swooning Over MidAmerican Energy

Last week Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) was giddy as he announced a major expansion of $1.8 billion worth of wind energy turbines coming to Iowa. Giddy. Of course MidAmerican Energy isn't doing this...alone. They are received federal tax credits in the millions and those federal tax credits will allow them to save cash and invest in...wind energy. Wind energy; you might remember former Gov. Mitt Romney, who was so warmly embraced by the Des Moines Register and...Gov. Branstad (see we don't forget) was against...wind energy. Meanwhile Gov. Branstad, who does not trust the federal government to assist Iowans with health care, doesn't seem to mind that less federal dollars collected is not a problem. Giddy. Meanwhile, and they say this is not connected, MidAmerican Energy is requesting a rate hike. They will get it...after all you can't spurn your...lover.

So, How is that Water?

What we need is voluntary conservation practices in agriculture. Leave it up to the farmer to control how and what he/she does with their land and the water under the land. Uhm...OK. Last week the Des Moines Register saved this headline for Section B, "Water Pollution - Nitrates in rivers hit record levels". Seems that the city has tried to measure the amount of nitrates (from field runoff) but their equipment won't register amounts as as high as they are seeing...so they are guessing. To keep the water "safe" they have turned on "nitrate removal plants" costing the department $7,000 a day. (We really need to get government out of water treatment huh?) Meanwhile Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey (R-IA) and the GOP committee on farming, the Iowa Farm Bureau, say, "We can't control nitrates from farming operations because we can't control the weather." Damn you Mother Nature! If it were not for YOU we would have safe drinking water.... I know, that's a tough indictment on Mother's Day.

Sometimes It's Good To Get...Fired

Giddy? Last week two former executives were awarded big dollars when they were...fired. No, these executives were not part of some insurance company, manufacturing company or hedge fund...they were employees of a non-profit and a school district. Former Iowa Public Radio (IPR) CEO Mary Grace Harrington will receive a settlement of $197,000 for "emotional distress" and a deal that she will not sue. IPR is about a million dollars short of their $8 million goal in fund-raising. Meanwhile in the tiny hamlet of West Des Moines the school board decided, on a 7 - 0 vote, to fire District Superintendent Peter Ansingh. He'll get paid his annual salary of $200,000 through June 30, plus vacation pay plus a lump sum of $225,000. It is good to be the king...even when dethroned.

Gas or Groceries?

This week, in Des Moines, Iowa, the price of unleaded fuel climbed to $3.49 a gallon. That's up twenty-cents in less than two weeks. The next time you have to decide between gas or groceries you might think of two things: 1) Wish you had been an executive for a school district or a non-profit or 2) Be grateful for the obscene amounts of cash the government throws at the oil companies because it is helping you feed your family. Life is good...no?

Told You So...

Months ago I shared this with you and last week Iowa State Senator Jack Hatch (D-Des Moines) took the first step in an effort to become governor. I know Sen. Hatch, he is a well qualified leader and passionate about making a difference in the lives of Iowans. So, before you folks in Eastern Iowa say, "Jack who?" You might want to get to know this champion of regular Iowans. Of course Gov. Branstad (R-Iowa) used to news to try to raise some cash to fight off the Democrat challenge..."please send me $3 or more" said the email. Now at issue is, of course, US Secretary of Agriculture and former governor Tom Vilsack (D-IA). He recently purchased a home here and speculation is he'll run in 2014. I dunno...we'll see. But, if Sen. Hatch runs Gov. Branstad may decide not to run and hand over the keys to Terrace Hill to Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. If Sec. Vilsack runs Gov. Branstad will stay in. Me thinks. What ever way this goes it will be...fun.

Partly Personal

I took in the Downtown Farmer's Market yesterday. Rode my bike the
ten miles into the heart of Des Moines and mingled with thousands of Saturday Shoppers. Fun times. That is where I met Mary and her son Mike from Milwaukee, WI. Mary is an avid reader of Sunday Morning Coffee and I get to thank her daughter Susan and son-in-law Jeremy for passing along my work. Gosh...Mary you say the nicest things but could you do me a favor and replace Gov. Walker. It would be the right thing to do. (Photo L to R: Susan, Mary, Mike, Jeremy)

It's "The Holy Day of May"...Mother's Day and rightly so. We get to celebrate with my Mom today. She'll be, G-d willing, 93 in June and while she often drives me nuts, "You're shrinking." or "You need to eat more." or "You're getting a little pudgy!" I value our daily visits because she is...my Mom. Today we'll gather at our home for a cookout and share more stories. She'll swoon over two of her six great-grandchildren and we will, in good nature, make fun of her witness to creating "the wheel" and being on a first name basis with Moses. I would not trade it for the world.

05/05/2013

Happy Cinco d' Mayo and welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee my
personal opinion about the stuff you love to hate. Politics & religion with a little gossip thrown in for fun. My name is Michael P. Libbie and if you wish to comment here, feel free and/or let's connect on my personal Twitter Stream @MichaelLibbie or my personal Facebook Page, which is right here. Lots of stuff to share so let's get going:

Cinco de Mayo

No, it is not Mexican Independence Day (That is September 16th) or the day HyVee has Kraft Mayo on special. This holiday, sort of like Chanukah, celebrates a military victory. The Mexican Army of 4,000 defeated the French Army of 8,000 at the Battle of Puebla back in 1862. So, in honor of Cinco de Mayo our family avoids french fries in favor of tacos. If you want to real scoop on the holiday, which gives gringos an excuse to party with tequila and guacamole, here's a link. See, I try to educate too.

Congress - Face Palm

Last week there was a story circulated about the Worst Jobs in the US. According to Career Cast the worst job for 2013 is a newspaper reporter. I was surprised that nobody mentioned being a member of congress. But, being a member of the Political Class of Congress is really the Best Job in the US even though the aproval rating for what they do is now at 14%. You see, as a member of congress you get to do what YOU want to do and pay little to no attention to the folks you (don't laugh now) "represent". Just say no to common sense things like background checks for firearms. Just say no to hungry kids and education while you take care of the "business class" and "adjust" the sequester for the FAA. Sad.

Prediction

Given the low approval rating of the US Congress I predict that Cong. Edward Markey (D-Mass) will go down in defeat to GOP political newcomer Gabriel Gomez in the June 25th special election to replace former senator and now Secretary of State John Kerry. I make this prediction solely on the belief that from time to time I need to give my Republican Friends some hope. Wait! FLASH: I just found out that Mr. Gomez is NOT of Mexican Heritage! That changes everything! Fa-git-about-it! Markey will win in a landslide. See, Cinco de Mayo can sort of be just like April Fools Day. Aren't you glad you came by?

Kingmaking

On Friday Cong. Steve King (R-IA) made it official; he is not going to take up the GOP mantle and challenge Cong. Bruce Braley (D-IA) for the US Senate. Now that many of the states top Republicans (Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Cong. King) have said "Neyt!" who? The newest name to surface is State Senator Joni Ernst (R-Red Oak) who also joined Twitter last week and has a whopping three tweets out there. Sen. Ernst, on her Twitter Profile let's us all know she is a safe candidate because she is a "Christian". Southwest Iowa News is lapping it all up in this article. BTW, she is kinda cute and could be Iowa's answer to Sarah Palin! Former US Attorney Matt Whitaker is also kinda cute and ready to run but his Twitter Profile lacks the Christian Influence...come on Matt get with it.

Another Holy War?

In case you were wondering why our friends over in the GOP are so fired up about "a well regulated militia" it might be due to the fact that in a recent survey 44% of them say there must be an armed revolution against the US Government. I'm catching a link between religion and guns. If you are a Christian and you die in an armed revolt against the US Government you go and meet Jesus. But, unlike my jihadist friends no "rivers of alcohol or dozens of virgins". Here is the survey data from our friends at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

I wonder...

This would be an interesting twist: Let's say a group of American Muslims got together and formed "a well regulated militia" complete with weapons, training, a flag (US of course), a motto, website.... Wonder what that might look like...

You are welcome.

It's Only Sex...

Front page of the Des Moines Register this morning, "50 Sex Offenders Have Gun Permits". My friend Jason Clayworth did this exclusive and it's really good. Look, it is their Second Amendment right to have a gun and besides Iowa is the wild west when it comes to the ability of law enforcement to keep you from one. Sex, domestic abuse, etc. will not stand in the way of the Second Amendment! That sound you hear? It's heads spinning down at the State Capital. Here is the link to the story.

Speaking of the State Capital...

The money has run out. Yep, the Iowa Legislature started working without their per diem of $135.00 a day on May 3rd yet many, many items are yet to be resolved. Those "signature items" such as screwing the schools, screwing the elderly, screwing the taxpayers, screwing Main Street, screwing cities and counties, screwing with the poor, screwing...screwing all which Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) supports. Maybe they should just go home before they screw anything else up.

I'm sorry...just feeling a little...BLUE today.

Partly Personal

We have, what I call a "Dish Safe". You may know it as a automatic dishwasher. But, with only two of us rambling around in this house I see little reason to put stuff into the Dish Safe for days on end and then when you need a pot, pan, dish...you must retrieve it from...yep, the Dish Safe. Who's with me on this?

Tomorrow is the weigh in for Pedal Off the Pounds. The Des Moines Cycle Club had over 90 people at the first meeting last Monday evening and the official start is tomorrow. I'm on Team Purple with lots of very eager bicycle riders hoping that the 22-week program will result in a healthier lifestyle. Like with diet and...exercise. All of this means that I am entering into the warmer weather without Vodka-Tonic which really sucks. I'll let you know when "the shakes" start.

Happy Cinco de Mayo my friends and have a wonderful Sunday! A tip-of-the-hat to our "pool boy" Pedro for helping me write this morning. Wonder if Sangria has fewer calories than...vodka?

Thanks for coming by! - Michael

OH..one more thing! If you wish to leave a comment here feel free but know that due to a huge amount of spam I've had to resort to approving all the comments. Not the best way to run an army...but figure you really were not interested in fake Rolex watches.

04/28/2013

Ready? Grab a seat and let's enjoy a nice hot cup of Sunday Morning Coffee. My
opinion (and a little gossip) about politics and religion...the two things you love to talk about. My name is Michael P. Libbie and if you would like to leave a comment here, feel free. We can also connect on my personal Twitter Stream @MichaelLibbie and my personal Facebook Page is right here. OK then...let's go!

Just What We Don't Need

Last week the media, law enforcement, politicians spewed lots and lots of misinformation about the Boston bombings. In part it is the result of feeding the 24/7 News Machine that requires talking heads to...talk...even if what they say is dead wrong. What this has done is fuel conspiracy theory junkies who take the quotes and then the clarifications add their "fear potion" and bingo! We've got the government being responsible for Boston. It is sick and twisted. Here is a good piece on the subject from David Horsey, political commentator and cartoonist for the Los Angeles Times.

S*it Christians Say to Jews

My son sent this to me last week. It's not only funny but...true. As a Jew it's amazing what we're told and some of the questions we're asked. Have a look:

Allison Pearlman does a nice job...no?

Internet Sales Tax

Here's the deal: If you are a large corporation and have Internet sales there is no sales tax unless you buy in a state where that company has a location. However, if you are selling the same items from your retail store on Main Street you must charge the tax. Last week the US Senate moved closer to fixing the problem but, as predicted, passage in the US House is problematic. You see, House Republicans see this effort as a "tax increase". Actually, it is the House GOP looking out after Big Box Retailers. This is not a tax increase. But, it does give states a way to enforce current tax law. Seems simple to me.

The Reality of Sequester

Last week Congress got their butt in gear, listened to the rich and reversed course on furloughs for air traffic controllers. "Rich" might be a bit broad let's say "business traveler". You see nothing can stand in the way of commerce. However, when it comes to education, public safety, feeding the poor...fa-get-about it. You are on your own. Congress is saying, if you're a hungry child, just book a flight to LA. You'll get there on time and be able to eat a pack peanuts. Disgusting.

Come To Iowa - We'll Throw Money At You

Last week we had The Second Coming! First Google builds a data farm here and then BOOM, Facebook announces they will build a "data farm" near Des Moines. Everybody is giddy. Gov. Branstad (R-IA) is giddy. Always giddy Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) is very happy. Altoona Mayor, JM "Skip" Conkling is giddy. Hell, the whole damn state is in the throws of an orgasm. And, the going rate for a state-wide shiver is $18 million. (Plus 20 years of no local property tax.) Be advised, that $18 million bought us more than just a momentary tingle. We also get 31 jobs that will pay $48,000 a year!!! If you do the math Iowa just bought 31 jobs for a little over 12 years. Meanwhile in Sioux City, Iowa the school district laid off 29 teachers and a school counselor. And, lost federal funding of $286,000 also requires the district to shed 12 teaching positions aimed at helping students in poverty, an elementary teacher and five folks who work with special education students. There is a message here: If you are already a huge successful company, come to Iowa where we'll throw money at you. If you are a special needs kid...screw you. Or, get a job at an Egyptian fertilizer plant because you're not educated enough to work for our lover....Facebook.

Debi Does...

In business we always need to look at the return on investment. The good old ROI. Clearly our friends over at WHO-TV13 in Des Moines were not buying that story when they went after Debi Durham the chief "salesperson" of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Ms. Durham, according to this report, spent $73,000 in one year on...travel. Some of the charges, according to the report, were for first-class airline tickets. One of which came to $12,000. But it was the trip to Europe to attend Agritechnica that caused eyebrows to raise. She missed the event. Of course "the spin" from economic development is, "But look at the ROI!" They say “Seven projects were identified, that collectively could result in the
creation of 400 jobs and $60 million in capital investment." Key words: "could result". But, understanding that it takes money to make money I wonder what else it cost Iowa working families for the..."could result". What goodies did Iowa have to give in the form of tax abatement or credits. I dunno...you?

Please Go Home...

The Iowa Legislature is scheduled to go home this next week. Home, where they will spend weeks telling anybody who will listen how hard they worked to accomplish so little. But, that depends on who is telling the story. Last week five brave Republicans in the House put forward an amendment to punish four members of the Iowa Supreme Court for their 2009 ruling on same-sex marriage. Dwayne Alons (R-Hull), Tom Shaw (R-Laurens), Larry Sheets (R-Moulton), Tedd Gassman (R-Scarville) and Greg Heartsill (R-Melcher-Dallas) thought it would be a good idea to to lower the salaries of any justice that voted to uphold equal rights. Please go home...please.

Less Than Sixty-Minutes

In less than sixty minutes a bunch of stuff happened at the Polk County Democratic Central Committee last week:

Sam Reno learned he is one of 99 county chairs for the Brad Anderson for Iowa Secretary of State campaign;

Robert Krause, former democratic candidate for US Senate, announced he is running for governor in 2014;

Gabriel De la Cerda gave a great stump speech about why a "common person" should be elected to congress;

My friend Scott Ourth (D-Ackworth)
filled in for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (D-Des Moines) and I am so proud of
him;

It seems there is some movement to oust Christine Hensley from
the Des Moines City Council.

Miss a minute and you miss a bunch.

Partly Personal

I opened the Des Moines Register this past week and there on the Opinion Page was a photo of my brother. Seems he's got an issue with rules that license funeral home directors. The Register has been doing a series of stories on this issue and their suggestion to duel register a person seems like a good idea.

This past Shabbat I returned to Adas Israel the Jewish congregation of Mason City. The board had discussed closing the shul and I'd not been there, other than to bury a friend Gilbert "Skip" Fleming back in February, for several months. We talked about the responsibility the small congregation has to community. Following a meeting or two the board reversed their decision and expanded their programming to include a Sabbath Midrash (learning session) which takes place each month and is open to people of all faiths. It was great to spend Shabbos with friends.

04/21/2013

Sunday Morning Coffee; time to relax and visit about the stuff you "love to hate" all
with my personal opinion. My name is Michael P. Libbie and if you would like to leave a comment here, feel free. Or we can hook up on my personal Twitter Stream @MichaelLibbie and my personal Facebook Page is right here. OK..enough "chatter" let's get to the news:

Shattered Sunshine

This week has been dreadful for America. On Monday it was the horrific attack
during the Boston Marathon which scattered the sunshine that many of us have basked in since 9/11. I'm far from an expert on any of this but it was an eerie return to that morning and the nation has been, once again, shocked by the reality of terrorist violence. One interesting thought. I have loads of friends who abhor surveillance cameras. Usually this is directed toward automated traffic cameras but...not always. I didn't hear a peep out of them when the two alleged bombers were identified through the review of... surveillance cameras.

The Cowards in the US Senate

They say Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) is a Democrat. I suspect he, sort of, is. This past week he and three other Democratic Senators voted with the violence lobby and quash the gun safety background check proposal. That the Republicans closed ranks to defeat common sense legislation is not surprising. (They can't vote for gun safety, something this country sadly needs, but they can endorse voter ID requirements saying voter fraud is a "national crisis" which it isn't.) Maybe it's time Montana replaces Sen. Baucus (who has had some remarkable professional and personal "issues") with former Governor Brian Schweitzer. Besides...I like his dog, Jag. Other Democratic senators who bolted: Sens. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.).

Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota

The new junior senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) voted with the gun violence crowd this past week. Heidi who won a surprise victory last November largely in part because she appeared to be a strong willed, independent thinker turned her back on the vast majority of Americans. In the end she caved and Bill Daley wrote in the Washington Post, "I want my money back." Good read.

Gov. Branstad & China

Last week the Des Moines Register reported that Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) was treated like a "rock star" during his visit to China. The governor has a very warm place in his heart for the nation that disallows political freedom, controls every aspect of business, uses abortion to control the population and supplies weapons to terrorist organizations. Nice crowd governor...welcome back.

The Damn Cheating Democrats & Matt Schultz

Iowa Secretary of State, Matt Schultz (R-IA) was also treated like a rock star last
week during his appearance at a gathering of the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition. (They believe in "freedom" only if you follow their..."faith".) Secretary Schultz, who will lose in November to Democrat Brad Anderson because Schultz is that wacky, told the faithful, "...we care about abortion, gay marriage, a whole lot of social issues..." and went on to say that those issues will go nowhere because (Democrats) "...will cheat". For more about Secretary Schultz and his continued frothing about "Zombie Voters" here is a piece from our friends from Bleeding Heartland.

Not A Bad Gig...If You Can Get It

The Iowa Senate Ethics Committee continues to look into the $7,500 monthly payment state senator Kent Sorenson (R-Milo) received via a "back channel" of the Michele Bachmann (R-MN) short-lived presidential campaign. Senator Sorenson is quite the piece of work; from personal issues ("But I found Jesus!") to jumping the "Bachmann Bandwagon" on the eve of the Iowa Caucus and joining up with former presidential contender Cong. Ron Paul (R-TX). In other words, he's just the sort of solid upstanding guy that wins the hearts and minds of my Tea Party Friends. Is nobody going to come forward and challenge this man in 2014 or is Warren County that bat-crap-crazy? (Update: According to my friend Rep. Scott Orth (D-Ackworth) this area may not be winnable for a Democrat. OK then...can't we get a moderate Republican to face him in a primary? If there is such a thing...)

Speaking of Warren County, Iowa

My friend Jason White who is the executive director of the Warren County Development Corporation must have the toughest skin on the planet. Jason is spearheading work to bring a new casino to the area about 15 miles south of Des Moines. Daily he is pilloried on his Facebook Page by those "concerned citizens" who are opposed to the jobs plan. Me? I hope it goes through and they build the casino. In fact, I'd love to see a casino in every Iowa county. It's more fun than a fertilizer plant...and safer too.

But...Back to Jesus

Last week Wells Fargo Home Mortgage announced a one-million dollar expansion of their offices based in West Des Moines. This came on the heels of a fax I received on the 17th telling me that, "Wells Fargo Home Mortgage...Killed Jesus Christ and America." (And all this time I thought it was the Damn Jews!) It was put out by an Andy Clark from Eugene, OR. For an insightful look at Operation Sunrise, whom I believe sent me those greetings, here is a link. Careful...you are in for a treat.

Iowa and Medicaid

It was a fun show last week as the public was invited to speak in favor of expanding Medicaid to 150,000 Iowans or support what is being called "TerryCare", a program which costs the state more but delivers less care and is the brain-child of Gov. Terry Brandstad (R-IA). Of those signed up to speak the majority favored expanding Medicaid coverage. What was fun were those who spoke against. Folks like Jill Ellsworth a Grimes massage therapist who got huge points for linking "big government" with "the Soviet Union". Nice play! Then there was a chorus of "the federal government can't afford this" crowd including Marc Lucas and Americans for Prosperity (remember them?), Ed Brown of the Iowa Clinic, Deb Thornton of the Public Interest Institute and a Tyler DeHaan an "Urbandale Republican". While more folks, 56 of the 73, signed up to speak in favor of Medicaid expansion the GOP controlled House saw to it that it was much more "equal" and disallowed many pro-medicaid speakers the microphone.

Iowa House District 43

This week I'll be visiting with Iowa House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (D-Des Moines) about finding a viable candidate to run against Rep. Chris Hagenow (R-Windsor Heights). Mr. Hagenow, one of the most extreme members of the House, portrays himself as a likable family guy that is a good fit for his district. That, my friends, is smoke and mirrors. I've had some fun looking at his voting record and positions and he is far from a "good fit" for this district. Susan Judkins, it looks like, will not face him in 2014. Who will Kevin?

Congressman Bruce Braley

There was a reception and fund raiser for Cong. Braley (D-IA) who appeared at the event with retiring Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). (If you have trouble seeing the video make sure you click on the title of the blog.)

Partly Personal

For personal reasons I usually don't go out on Friday evenings. However, and I hope
Gd forgives me, we traveled to Tama, Iowa and the Meskwaki Casino (Told you I liked them!) to see my old friend Chubby Checker. Chubb and I go back decades but this was the first time I've seen him perform. Mom went with and totally enjoyed the concert...and the attention. Chubby gave a full 90 minutes of music to hundreds of fans...no break in the action. Later we talked about him doing RAGBRAI in 2014. I think he's in. Finally...

I am...intolerant. I admit it. Last week as Cong. Steve King (R-IA) took the opportunity of the tragedy in Boston to rail against immigration (along with Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), Oklahoma Republican State Representative Dennis Johnson had his "Jew me down..." moment (Here is the video clip), another Oklahoma Republican Rep. David Dank railed against the film industry because, "99.9 of the people we're rebating money to are pro-abortion!" (Yet he offered no proof.), Iowa State Senator Dennis Guth (R-Klemme) offered a tirade against marriage equality, inserting various Bible verses to prove his point...and that is just a smattering of what enlightened members of the Republican Party spewed last week. Anyway, I said, on my personal Facebook page, "I am so done with these idiots." That comment was called out by a defender of bat-crap-crazy and I was taken to task for "name calling" and "being intolerant". He has a point and I am...guilty as charged.